Around the area

First and foremost, before some Polie or Palmerite nails me on it, my first photo from my last post was not from Cape Evans, it was from Hut Point . . . I don't want to provide bad information in case any of you are in the neighborhood, looking for landmarks . . . For a few weeks now, I've been trying to find a way to include larger photos. If this method doesn't satisfy, please direct me to another blog site, system, whatever and I MIGHT give it a try. . . I'm spending w - a - y too much time without getting results. Sending letters is out. My access to the Internet and connection speed isn't a whole lot better than on Kwaj. Our connection here has been compared to a connection for one household back in the States - except there are already over 800 folks in this household with more to come. Maybe it's the starkness of the landscape, maybe it's just the amount of time people have on their hands, but if you keep your eyes open, you notice some interesting creations around the area. Most of our utilities, certainly all the water and sewage, are carried in pipes above ground on racks called utilidors. These are routed under numerous road crossings, but the walkways are routed over the utilidors on footbridges. This particular one has been called the troll bridge. Recently the carpenters replaced the stairs on either side, but none of the horizontal sections in between.

I'm not sure how many times I crossed before I spotted the troll. It's under the section Andy was on in the first photo. One of the carpenters said he didn't notice it until working on the stairs, but it wasn't there when he was here a few years ago.

It's a nice piece of work. I think the name plate across the back reads "Martin", in reference to whom I'm not sure. There are several Martins, past and present, but no known trolls. I could barely get a photo with the framing in the way. They didn't get the critter in there without taking something apart. Some creative welder had some time on their hands. . .

It's required that all parked pickup trucks and vans have at least one wheel chocked, an orange diagonal 'chock' stuck under one of the rear wheels. In summer when the snow is gone, at least for the most part from the roads in and around town, some folks ride bicycles. I think it's a great idea. Anyway, apparently someone took wheel chocking to heart. Notice the small orange triangles attached with cords to the bikes.

This sign is above the New Zealand station, Scott Base, on the road between Scott Base and McTown. McTown is actually on territory claimed by New Zealand. While the Antarctic Treaties have never formerly recognized countries' Antarctic claims, the US apparently doesn't NOT recognize New Zealands claim either, if that makes any sense. Anyway, the birds are supposed to be Keas, native to New Zealand and real pests to hikers and backpackers. I'm not sure what the black thing is - cat or furry opposum. Notice the population of "26 B.O.B." - bodies on board. There's another odd way of referring to people here. During Winfly, if driving out onto the sea ice or ice shelf, we had to check in with the Fire House. Our standard information was, "Fire house, this is truck 135, two souls on board, driver is . . ., etc. etc." I wonder, does that mean a ghost could be one of the occupants? Or maybe Martin? See ya later and keep them cards and emails coming. . .

P.S. . . I think this is going to be the format from here on out. If you want any of those photos on the left, get 'em now, they won't be there next time . . .